The purpose of Harvard Street Presbyterian Church has always extended beyond its pews.

“Partly because we are such an immigrant-based congregation, there’s been a strong emphasis on caring for our neighbors and people in need,” said Bryan Takasaki, a ruling elder at the church.

The Natick property is home to a community garden and food bank. At one point, the church’s Sunday school rooms were even transformed into bedrooms that migrant families called home.

“During that summer, the summer of 2023, we probably hosted about 16 or 17 families for short periods of time,” Takasaki said.

The weeks turned into months for some families. The church installed a portable shower, enhanced their kitchen and lined the empty rooms with bunk beds.

“We helped them to find apartments, we helped them to

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